Best Practice Case Studies-Chest

Pdf Summary

In the case study question examined, a medical practitioner is assessing a patient with significant bruising on the anterior chest wall, indicative of a soft tissue injury. The practitioner is focused on palpating the pectoralis major muscle. Several anatomical landmarks are being considered for effective palpation. The correct answer to which landmark is least helpful is the coracoid process (option E). <br /><br />The reasoning provided clarifies the roles of each anatomical point in relation to the pectoralis major muscle. The sternum (option A) and the second to sixth ribs (option C) serve as origins for the sternal head of the muscle. The clavicle (option B) acts as the origin for the clavicular head, specifically the medial part. The humerus (option D) is the site of insertion for the pectoralis major. <br /><br />In contrast, the coracoid process (option E) is not relevant to the palpation of the pectoralis major, as it pertains to the pectoralis minor muscle, whose origin is from the third to fifth ribs and inserts on the scapula. This anatomical distinction underscores why the coracoid process is the least useful point in palpating the pectoralis major. <br /><br />References are provided, including the 37th edition of Gray’s Anatomy and articles from Radiopaedia.org and the University of Washington’s Department of Radiology, which back up the anatomical descriptions and functional roles of these muscles.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 09

Topic Chest

Keywords

pectoralis major

anatomical landmarks

coracoid process

soft tissue injury

palpation

sternum

clavicle

humerus

pectoralis minor

Gray's Anatomy

3rd Edition

3rd Edition, CASE 09

Chest